Mayor-elect Kriseman Names Sherry McBee Administrator of Leisure Services

(St. Petersburg) -- Today, (Decenber 30, 2013) Mayor-elect Rick Kriseman announced the appointment of Sherry McBee as the Administrator of Leisure Services. Michael Jefferis will serve as the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Said Mayor-elect Kriseman: “As a part of the restructuring of the Leisure and Community Services Administration, Administrator Clarence Scott and I mutually agreed to part ways. I thank Clarence for his dedicated service to the citizens of St. Petersburg. ”

The Department of Community Services and the Housing and Community Development Department will move under the purview of Mike Dove, the Director of Neighborhood Affairs.

Said Mayor-elect Kriseman: “I am pleased that Sherry McBee has agreed to serve as Administrator of Leisure Services. Sherry is incredibly qualified, and her background has prepared her to lead the leisure services team. I am proud to have her as part of this great team.   

“I also want to thank Mike Jefferis for stepping into the important Director’s role at Parks and Recreation. I am counting on him to lead the efforts in a department that is highly visible, and very important to the citizens of St. Petersburg.”

Said Ms. McBee: “I look forward to the opportunity to serve our citizens with these expanded Leisure Services responsibilities. It is an honor to be part of a strong management team, working hard to enhance the quality of life in our city.”

Said Mr. Jefferis: “I am sincerely looking forward to this opportunity and am excited to continue the great work of the many professionals that have guided the Parks and Recreation Department before me. This department has always been a national leader and innovator, and I look forward to continuing that tradition.”  

Biographies

Sherry McBee
Sherry McBee began her career with the city in 1974 and served as the recreation director since 1983. In 2010, Ms. McBee also assumed responsibility for the city's Parks Department, overseeing the care and maintenance of the city's more than 2400 acres of public parkland, nature preserves, athletic fields and athletic programs. She oversees all recreation programs provided at the 15 recreation facilities, nine swimming pools and one beach. In addition, she oversees coordination for over 100 citywide co-sponsored events, TASCO teen programs, holiday special activities, therapeutic recreation programs, and recreation program advocacy for all age groups.  In 2010 the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department received national agency accreditation.

She holds a bachelor's degree cum laude from Florida State University and is a graduate of University of Georgia's Executive Development Program. She was twice recognized as an Up and Comer in government and is a recipient of a Women in Management award for outstanding professional achievement from the Midday Business and Professional Association.

Sherry is an active member and past officer of the Florida Recreation and Park Association and is certified as a Parks and Recreation Professional. She has also served on the Board of Regents for the National Recreation and Park Association's Revenue Sources Management School. Sherry has been an active mentor for the Doorways program.

Mike Jefferis
Mike Jefferis has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of South Florida. He is currently the assistant director of the Parks and Recreation Department. Mike has dedicated more than 19 years of service to the citizens of St. Petersburg, Florida. In his current role as assistant director, he oversees all programming, parkland, nature preserves, and administrative functions including technical support and public relations, as well as, the personnel and accounting offices. In addition, he is responsible for the oversight of the department’s $31 million budget.

Mike is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association, Florida Recreation and Park Association, Florida Government Finance Officers Association, and the Florida Public Pension Trustees Association. He is certified by the National Recreation and Park Association as a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), and National Recreation and Park Association/North Carolina State University Directors School graduate. Mike is a board member of the St. Petersburg College Parks and Leisure Services Advisory Board and faculty member of the Florida Recreation and Park Association Emerging Leaders Institute. He also serves as a Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Visitor and Evidence Reviewer. In addition, he is a trustee for the St. Petersburg Police Pension Board, a Certified Public Pension Trustee (CPPT), chairman of the Supervisory Committee for the florid central Credit Union, and holds several  ICS/NIMS certificates. Mike is an active participant/member of St. Pete Together, Carrera Summer and Afterschool Advisory Board, Bay Point Elementary PTA, and his church.

MEDIA CONTACT
Benjamin J. Kirby
727-501-4837
ben@typesetmediastrategies.com

Comment:
Two really great picks by Mayor Elect Kriseman both will do an outstanding job.

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